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Out'n'About: Rockhound State Park

Rockhound State Park showcases the beauty of the Southwest

By Cassie McClure

For Pulse

Posted:
09/05/2013 12:13:25 AM MDT

Just a stone's throw away from Deming, Rockhound State Park lets visitors get a glimpse of the natural treasures in our area, and better yet, it's a place where taking home a piece of the park is welcomed.

Originally created in the late 1960s, Rockhound State Park catered to the pastime of "rockhounds," the nickname for those who have an interest in rock collecting. Only one other location in the United States, Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas, allows similar collecting. While Rockhound's claim to fame isn't as famous, those eager to add to their collections will be happy to see silica minerals, quartz crystals, chalcedony, blue agate, white and pink common opal, and many colors of jasper. A 1.2-mile loop trail provides access to rock collecting areas.

The Rockhound State Park visitor s center is located at 9880 Stirrup Road in Deming. (null)

The 249-acre park has two sections, the Rockhound section and, three miles south, a day-use area called Spring Canyon. Picnic sites and hiking on animal-formed trails are the most popular activities at Spring Canyon.

Rockhound State Park offers spacious primitive and developed campsites, restrooms and showers, a dump station, covered shelters and tables, picnic areas, a playground, hiking trails and gardens. A walking labyrinth, created by the Friends of Rockhound State Park, without disturbing a single plant in the park, uses local rock and river rock to form a seven-circuit pattern.

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In 2004, the Friends of Rockhound State Park sprang up to dedicate itself to helping sustain the park with guided tours, events and conservation; it then came under agreement with New Mexico State Parks in 2005. With only six original members, the Friends of Rockhound State Park now has more than 120 members. Fundraisers in the spring and fall called "Desert Alive! Native Plant Sale" have helped raise about $25,000 for the park. The next plant sale is scheduled from 8 a.

Friends of Rockhound stepped up in 2011 to voice displeasure over a New Mexico State Parks debate which would have nixed the ability for rockhounds to collect at the park. There was concern that too many rocks could be taken from the park, upsetting its natural formations. Congruent to that was a petty misdemeanor under New Mexico law for anyone who would "take or remove a tree, shrub, timber, plant or natural object in any state park and recreation area, except in areas designated by the secretary and permitted by regulations."

It was that exception that the Friends of Rockhound clung to.

"Our park was founded on the idea of being able to take 15 pounds of rocks during a visit, for personal use," said current board member MaryKay Brady, a cofounder of Friends of Rockhound with her late husband Jim Brady.

The group rallied the local community and now a legislative bill stands, which officially allows rock collecting in designated areas. Rocks removed should be only used as souvenirs and collecting is limited to using only small hand tools.

"Yes, a small group of people can make a difference. When this came up, the outpouring of support from the public was amazing," said Brady.

Currently Friends of Rockhound is gearing up for two free events. On Sept. 21, the park will host Mariachi and Ballet Folkloric from 6 to 8 p.m. A rain date has also been scheduled for Sept. 22 from 1 to 3 p.m.

The event, Holiday Lights, is scheduled for Dec. 14 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and will include more than 1,000 luminarias lit at the visitor center, native gardens and labyrinthm for visitors to enjoy. Friends of Rockhound also hosts programs which have included topics such as: native plants, petroglyphs, falcons, Apaches and history of the southwest, astrophotography, and astronomical aspects of Native American art.

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